Chapter 24
Although Denji didn't know how to kiss at first, he had received careful instruction from several "teachers."
In the end, he took the best parts, discarded the rest, and arrived at the ultimate conclusion.
The essence of kissing isn't advanced technique.
It is a language spoken between hearts—a wordless expression of feeling, the natural synchronization of soul rhythms until perfect resonance is achieved.
To intuit and summarize this core so quickly… Denji really was a genius.
When he saw Power's clumsy, completely brainless attempt, far from being annoyed, Denji felt only tenderness and a gentle urge to treasure her.
He didn't rush.
…
At this moment, only long, drawn-out breaths rose and fell in the silence—like a drowning person finally reaching shore and gasping in exhaustion.
The lingering tremor of souls still echoed in perfect harmony with their heartbeats.
Perception slowly returned. The world grew clear again.
Outside the window, at some point a light drizzle had begun. Raindrops tapped softly against the glass.
Power's breath brushed Denji's skin, carrying tiny patches of cool air with each exhale.
She pressed closer again—face buried in the crook of his neck, nuzzling. Now her breathing wasn't cold—just a little ticklish.
"Fuu~"
Noticing Denji's faint reaction, Power deliberately blew a puff of air at the itchy spot.
Denji shivered instantly.
Seeing his reaction, Power giggled—then immediately whispered a careful "sorry."
"Sor… mm."
Before she finished apologizing, Denji lightly flicked her smooth forehead.
"Don't apologize to me over things like that."
His tone was casual and relaxed, but the meaning was absolute.
After the flick, he also smoothed her messy hair.
"Oh…"
Power blinked. The small hand resting on him unconsciously drew little circles on his chest.
After a quiet moment, Power suddenly spoke as if to herself:
"Denji is a good person. This great one likes Denji… but Denji is also bad. He makes this great one all messed up…"
Hearing that, the hand gently stroking Power's head paused—then resumed.
"I seem to recall… someone started it with their mouth first."
"This great one…"
Power faltered—couldn't find a comeback—so in mild frustration she bared her sharp teeth and gave him a light bite.
Of course, it was just the motion—didn't even break skin, let alone hurt.
Right after "biting," she immediately compensated with a soft, apologetic lick.
Power suddenly lifted her head and stared at Denji seriously.
"Then this time doesn't count. From now on, whatever you want to do to Power—you can do it.
And if you want this great one to do something, just tell me directly. This great one will do her best to help!"
Hearing Power's adorable declaration, Denji laughed softly:
"Okay, okay, Power is the best. I'll definitely come to you for help when I need it~"
Power's perception is either razor-sharp or completely dull—depending entirely on whether she wants to understand.
Clearly this time she caught the slight perfunctory tone in Denji's voice. The dismissal wasn't aimed at her—it was aimed at her words.
Am I really that useless?
Power deflated, flopping against Denji's chest, cheeks puffing out like a grumpy little frog.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Denji spoke up:
"Speaking of which—there actually is something I need your help with right now."
"What? What?"
Power instantly perked up—leaning over him, pressing her cute little face even closer.
So close Denji caught that familiar sweet scent again.
Kinda wanted to sneeze… but not really.
Denji rubbed his nose and continued:
"I have a special contract… that can only be bound to a very particular 'person'…"
In plain, straightforward language, Denji explained the "Source Blood Link Contract" to Power: "immortality," "getting stronger," "blood-sucking and being sucked"…
Denji didn't care about sugarcoating it. He had no intention of lying—even though it would have made things easier—because he understood deeply:
What feels like a shortcut in the moment often turns out to be the long way around when you look back.
"…But once the contract is formed, you basically become my property."
After saying it all in one breath, Denji felt a little thirsty. He'd already been "drunk from" quite a few times earlier, so now he was even thirstier.
"Benefits covered. Now the downsides?"
"?"
Denji almost couldn't keep up with Power's train of thought.
Spending too long acting "normal" sometimes makes it hard to follow "Hell-shocking wisdom."
But this time he understood. No need to question—just pulled out the contract.
Strange—like something from a fantasy world: a single slightly curled dark page, arcane magic circles drawn beneath the text.
At the bottom were two signature spaces. The "Master" slot already bore Denji's information automatically.
The "Servant" slot remained blank.
Blood condensed into a sharp claw on his left pinky.
A light prick on his right thumb—a plump, glistening crimson bead welled up.
Before pressing his print, Power asked once more:
"If this great one presses down… from then on this great one belongs to Denji, right?"
"Yeah, that's how it works. If you don't want to—"
Saying that again! Doesn't trust this great one at all!
Power got mad for a second—then a sly smile crossed her face as if she'd thought of something.
She retracted the blood claw, swiftly reached down with her left hand, and—very gently, in a very "special" way—interrupted Denji's words, expressing a tiny bit of dissatisfaction… and perhaps some frustration?
At the same time, her right thumb decisively pressed onto the contract.
In an instant—the contract was formed.
Deep in Denji's soul, the usually dormant "Affection Exploration" (see Chapter 2) suddenly gave feedback—something special.
Through Denji's perception and translation:
Affection Exploration achieved.
"Blood Fiend" Power has reached a specific affection threshold.
Achievement unlocked: [Blood's Homecoming]
Reward obtained…
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